Windows 9 preview likely on 30/11

Windows 8 users who have been clamouring for the return of the Start Menu are likely to pop a cork or two on 30 September – the date that Microsoft has set for a major announcement and that most pundits expect to signal the launch of Windows 9.

Microsoft itself has not publicly mentioned the word ‘Windows 9’ but the company’s Chinese subsidiary, has posted a message on Weibo saying “Microsoft’s latest OS Windows 9 is coming soon, do you think the start menu at the left bottom will make a come back?”. It was quickly removed but cnBeta was able to do a screen grab.

The current consensus is that Microsoft will launch Windows 9 on PCs, laptops, tablets and phones in April 2015 but the company is likely to show off at least some of its features on 30 September, since it has sent out invites to an event where it will outline ‘what’s next for Windows and the enterprise’.

One leaked document, obtained my Myce.com, speaks of the preview version being scheduled for release between “Q2-Q3 2015″.

The document has a section detailing ‘update items’ which include changes to the interface (which Microsoft still refers to internally as UI Metro) Windows Defender, OneDrive and improved Windows activation. There’s also a mention of Cortana, Windows Phone 8.1′s personal assistant, which probably means the lady is going to figure in Windows 9.

The 30 September Windows 9 Technical Preview has been leaked on Winsupersite, including the much tipped return of the Start Menu.

Task view will be used to switch between apps and will open via a button on the taskbar. File Explorer, will open with a new Home view as the default, showing favourite folders, recent folders and recent files. Several Windows 9 leaked videos show a unified Notification Center, multi-desktop (Task view) and the start menu.